Accra, May 9, GNA - The Government on Monday reiterated its commitment to the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), saying 93tremendous strides" have already been made in its implementation.

A statement signed by Mr John Abdulai Jinapor, Spokesperson to the Vice President, said the Office of the Vice President had noted various reports accusing government and in particular Vice President John Dramani Mahama of failing to implement the SADA initiative promised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC). It said the administration of President John Evans Atta Mills had, contrary to the claims of its critics, remained committed and worked diligently over the last 28 months towards a successful implementation of the SADA. "Over the period, a technical team put together by government worked on the draft SADA legislation, which was approved by Cabinet in March 2010 and also held various preparatory consultations towards the successful implementation of the Initiative," the statement said. It pointed out that following the passage by Parliament of the SADA Bill, which paved the way for the establishment of the Authority, the SADA Board chaired by Mr Alhassan Andani was inaugurated in December of 2010. "Since then, the Board has held two meetings in the Northern and Upper West Regions. It has also engaged PriceWaterHouse to recruit the permanent staff required for the administration of the Authority. "Local and foreign advertisements for the positions of Chief Executive Officer and heads of 11 other directorates have been issued."

The statement said it was important to note that the implementation of the SADA Initiative was not a one-time event but an ongoing process until its desired objectives are achieved. It said the Board of SADA, in collaboration with government, was preparing towards a major stakeholders' conference in June of this year. The forum would bring together potential partners and funding agencies towards raising the required capital towards the implementation of identified projects aimed at achieving the objectives of SADA. The statement said already, through government's intervention and the work of the Board, a number of agencies, including the British Department for International Development (DFID) and the World Bank had already pledged funds for the SADA Initiative. A number of private sector initiatives, supported strongly by government and aimed at ensuring the development of industrial zones in the Savanna belt, had also commenced, citing the shea butter processing plant in Buipe in the Northern Region. On budgetary allocations made to SADA, the statement said the government remained committed to releasing such allocations to the Authority.

However, it said, as explained by the Board Chairman, Mr Andani, this could only be done after the functional executives of the Authority had been appointed, because 93they have the authority to open and manage bank accounts on behalf of the Authority". The statement said it was also important to note that prior to the approval of the SADA Bill by Parliament, broad consultations were held with chiefs, Civil Society Organisations, District Assemblies, Regional Coordinating Councils and opinion leaders to solicit their inputs towards the implementation of the programme. District and non-governmental organisations (NGOS) stakeholders in 10 affected districts in the Northern Volta and Northern Brong-Ahafo Regions had been engaged in detailed assessments to determine their priorities for development under SADA as part of preparations towards a speedy implementation while Members of Parliament from the SADA areas were engaged in a two-day session to deliberate on their perspectives and recommendations for the SADA process.

The statement said the Office of the Vice President had been holding a series of meetings with NGOs, civil society organisations, development partners and other Governments on possible cooperation and also to solicit technical support for SADA. It announced that an interim secretariat had been established to coordinate the start-up of SADA under the Office of the Vice-President, and a Development Policy Adviser appointed by the President to advise the Government on the way forward to establishing SADA. "We wish to use this opportunity to assure all Ghanaians that tremendous strides have already been made and we look forward to the SADA Board rolling out its programmes shortly," the statement said. 9 May11